Publication
Title
First-principles investigation of nonmetal doped single-layer BiOBr as a potential photocatalyst with a low recombination rate
Author
Abstract
Nonmetal doping is an effective approach to modify the electronic band structure and enhance the photocatalytic performance of bismuth oxyhalides. Using density functional theory, we systematically examine the fundamental properties of single-layer BiOBr doped with boron (B) and phosphorus (P) atoms. The stability of the doped models is investigated based on the formation energies, where the substitutional doping is found to be energetically more stable under O-rich conditions than under Bi-rich ones. The results showed that substitutional doping of P atoms reduced the bandgap of pristine BiOBr to a greater extent than that of boron substitution. The calculation of the effective masses reveals that B doping can render the electrons and holes of pristine BiOBr lighter and heavier, respectively, resulting in a slower recombination rate of photoexcited electron-hole pairs. Based on the results of HOMO-LUMO calculations, the introduction of B atoms tends to increase the number of photocatalytically active sites. The top of the valence band and the conduction band bottom of the B doped BiOBr monolayer match well with the water redox potentials in an acidic environment. The absorption spectra propose that B(P) doping causes a red-shift. Overall, the results predict that nonmetal-doped BiOBr monolayers have a reduced bandgap, a slow recombination rate, more catalytically active sites, enhanced optical absorption edges, and reduced work functions, which will contribute to superior photocatalytic performance.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Physical chemistry, chemical physics / Royal Society of Chemistry [London] - Cambridge, 1999, currens
Publication
Cambridge : The Royal Society of Chemistry , 2020
ISSN
1463-9076 [print]
1463-9084 [online]
DOI
10.1039/D0CP02007A
Volume/pages
22 :27 (2020) , p. 15354-15364
ISI
000549894000018
Pubmed ID
32589177
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
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Publication type
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Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
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Creation 14.09.2020
Last edited 02.10.2024
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